69: Chapter 69 The Tragic Beauty of a Girl in the Torrential Rain

North of Snowfield Dragon City lies the territory of the demons.

In that extreme northern place, an ink-wash-colored palace actually hovered in the sky.

That was the sleeping quarters of the imperial family of the Tuitian Demon Snake, one of the three most noble demon races.

The room was very bright and spacious, with very few decorations—only a bed and a mirror.

Curtains concealed the scenery inside.

Youyue was sitting in front of the vanity, admiring her own appearance.

In the mirror, the hem of a stunningly beautiful, brightly red long dress was revealed.

It was as if she had suddenly awakened from a shock, abruptly turning manic.

"Shen Xingchen, Shen Xingchen, Shen Xingchen!"

"Ahhhhhh!"

"How dare you, I must kill you!"

The oppressive might of a higher race permeated the air, making the surrounding atmosphere a bit heavier.

The guards and maidservants prostrated themselves on the ground trembling with fear, their livers and galls splitting apart in terror.

They did not know what had happened to provoke such thunderous rage from the princess.

"Shen Xingchen, you had better not fall into my hands."

"Otherwise, I will eat you... piece by piece!"

The crazed and eerie voice echoed throughout the palace.

...

...

Shen Family.

One had to admit that the bodies of demons were tougher and more resilient than those of humans.

Shen Xingchen spent a full two hours extracting Youyue's vital blood.

He collected three drops of blood glowing with a dark green halo using a small porcelain bottle.

"Dad, what was your realm before you were injured?" Shen Xingchen asked curiously.

Shen Keke's gaze also followed and turned toward their father.

Ever since she was little, she had heard neighbors say that their father was an extremely powerful genius, so his rank must be very high.

Shen Zhennan sighed. "It's merely the seventh rank; it's nothing much in Snowfield Dragon City."

Shen Xingchen nodded.

He picked up his phone and sent a message to Jiang Qingyao.

It was time to honor their previous transaction.

...

The manor in the southern affluent district.

Jiang Qingyao was lying flat on the soft bed, hugging her phone and scrolling through videos.

Then she saw a message notification.

She replied with an "Okay" sticker.

Then she cautiously sneaked off to the family treasury.

Having made a promise to Shen Xingchen, she definitely wouldn't break her word.

Arriving in front of that palace-like building,

Jiang Qingyao was still a bit scared.

In fact, most of the things inside the treasury had been left behind by her father.

It was just that her father had been missing all these years, and Jiang Qingyao was young, so the family managed it on their behalf.

But for some reason,

the people in the family were increasingly ostracizing her from approaching this treasury, and instead acting more like they wanted to claim it as their own.

If this matter were exposed, without her parents by her side, she would inevitably face severe punishment from the family.

Walking over on tiptoe all the way,

Jiang Qingyao suddenly heard people talking in the neighboring courtyard.

"Jiang Shuo is impossible to come back, and the fire ganoderma originally belongs to the family anyway. Isn't it good to let my husband break through the fifth-rank bottleneck?" A middle-aged woman's voice came out.

Jiang Qingyao heard it clearly; it was Third Aunt.

The Jiang Shuo she spoke of was Jiang Qingyao's father, a peerless, generation-defining genius of the family in the past.

Jiang Qingyao's steps paused as she heard the voices again.

"Shouldn't the fire ganoderma belong to the first branch?" Another person asked hesitantly.

This was Jiang Qingyao's aunt.

She was obviously somewhat afraid of the woman in front of her, not daring to speak too loudly.

"The first branch? Just a little brat, what kind of waves can she make?" Third Aunt's voice was very loud.

"But... the fire ganoderma can only unleash its original medicinal power if consumed by someone who possesses a fire-element Talent Divine Ability. The wind attribute that Jiang Tao awakened..." the aunt said.

"Since it's a spiritual medicine, naturally it's useful whoever eats it!" Third Aunt insisted.

"Isn't this bad?"

Third Aunt grew anxious. "Jiang Tao is your own younger brother after all. Why don't you think of him at all? Is there any older sister like you?"

"..."

"Alright, it's settled then!"

"If Qingyao finds out, she will definitely be angry," the aunt said.

"Then let her come find me. I don't believe I can't handle a stinking brat with no father or mother!" Third Aunt snapped.

"How can you say that? Jiang Shuo helped the family a lot back then. If it weren't for him stepping in, the highest rank among us would only be the fourth rank!"

"That was all back then, you don't worry about it!" Third Aunt dismissed.

"..."

Jiang Qingyao listened with eyes burning red.

Gritting her teeth, she took light steps and walked toward the family treasury.

She pressed her fingerprint.

"Verifying identity..."

"Identity verification successful. Miss Jiang Qingyao, please enter."

The mechanical transmission sound rang out.

...

Shen Family.

After receiving Jiang Qingyao's reply, Shen Xingchen waited with peace of mind.

He knew that Jiang Qingyao would definitely bring the fire ganoderma right to him.

This was actually quite magical, considering the two of them had only known each other for three months.

Shen Xingchen hesitated for a moment and glanced at Du Xiaoyue. "Senior Brother, I have a friend..."

Du Xiaoyue glanced at Shen Xingchen. What a classic opening.

Next must be a very melodramatic story.

Shen Xingchen continued, "My friend is exceptionally handsome. One day, his father fell ill and needed a lot of money for treatment."

"At this time, a girl who was both wealthy and pretty appeared."

"She was as beautiful as a princess in a fairy tale."

"One day, she met my friend and learned about his predicament."

"At that time, they weren't even that close, barely acquaintances..."

"She actually took the initiative to propose that she could take the risk of being scolded by her family to scrape together enough money to help my dad..."

"...help my friend's dad with his medical treatment, asking only that I help her with her homework every day."

"Why do you think that is?"

Shen Xingchen looked at his Senior Brother with some anticipation.

Du Xiaoyue thought for a moment. "What you described is a lot like a novel I've been reading recently."

Shen Xingchen asked curiously, "Senior Brother, you read romance novels too?"

Du Xiaoyue shook his head. "No, I read science fiction!"

Are you kidding me?!

There's no way such a good girl exists in this world!

Even if she did, it's impossible she'd happen to be encountered by your... friend!

This is sheer nonsense!

Shen Xingchen pursued, "I'm saying hypothetically."

Du Xiaoyue said it as a matter of course. "It's obvious, that rich and pretty girl likes your friend!"

Shen Xingchen questioned, "But they really weren't that close at the time..."

Du Xiaoyue retorted, "Is it strange to fall for someone at first glance? Didn't you say it yourself? Your friend is very handsome!"

Shen Xingchen nodded like a chick pecking at rice. "Senior Brother, I like your answer!"

Du Xiaoyue: "Just how handsome is your friend?"

Shen Xingchen rubbed his chin. "Probably as handsome as me!"

"..."

Du Xiaoyue had to admit that Shen Xingchen was indeed a teeny-tiny bit handsome, and he couldn't find any angle to refute it.

Thinking further about how his junior brother's strength was also quite outstanding,

Du Xiaoyue suddenly felt envious.

...

Heavy rain gradually began to fall, and the sky darkened completely.

The roads became muddy, and the scent of earth permeated the air.

Shen Xingchen took out his phone and sent a message.

[Remember to bring an umbrella when you go out]

Jiang Qingyao did not reply.

After a while,

Shen Xingchen sent another new message.

[If the rain is too heavy, let's change it to tomorrow. There's no rush]

Still no reply.

Just when Shen Xingchen was wondering,

Knock, knock—

A knock sounded in the small courtyard.

Shen Xingchen felt a stirring in his heart and hurried over to open the door.

What came into view was a stunningly beautiful face, though it looked a bit pale.

Outside, the rain was pouring heavily.

Jiang Qingyao wasn't even holding an umbrella; she just stood sorrowfully and beautifully in the rain, letting the rainwater soak her clothes.

In her arms was an antique wooden box.

Even though Jiang Qingyao was drenched all over, only the wooden box in her arms remained perfectly intact.

Shen Xingchen knew that inside was the fire ganoderma promised by Jiang Qingyao.

"For you!"

Jiang Qingyao didn't say a word, and simply handed the wooden box containing the fire ganoderma to Shen Xingchen.

"Why are you... Hurry inside, you'll catch a cold!" Shen Xingchen shielded Jiang Qingyao with the umbrella in his hand.

He felt as if his heart had been grabbed by someone, completely touching the softest part within him.

Jiang Qingyao shook her head instead. "No, I have to leave immediately."

To prevent anyone in the family from tracing the whereabouts of the fire ganoderma, she had run all the way here.

The most important thing right now was to rush back quickly, making it seem as though nothing had happened.

The girl didn't even give Shen Xingchen a chance to speak again before running away.

Shen Xingchen stared blankly at the girl's pale back, her soaked dress, and the mud on her hem.

His heartstrings were fiercely pierced through.